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Cool Tools for Schools 2013/14 – Interested?

Apr 14th, 2013
by Polly-Alida Farrington.
1 comment

evaluationI’ve had several requests to run another round of the Cool Tools for Schools project starting in October 2013.  It would be great to get a few more BOCES SLS regions involved as well.

If you’re not familiar with the project, it’s an online learning program based on the original 23 Things  Learning 2.0 program developed by Helene Blowers. Participants read through an online lesson, explore tools and examples, then do a learning activity to gain experience with the tools covered in each lesson.

Goals for the program are:

  • Gain familiarity with a variety of technology tools and explore how they can be used in K12 settings.
  • Opportunities to make connections with other educators and develop collaborations.
  • Increased confidence in exploring technology tools.

The two Cool Tools programs that have just finished running are:

Past Programs:

If you want to hear more about whether the program was valuable to the participants, the SLS Directors of the participating regions will be happy to share their experience with you.

And I’ll be happy to provide you with additional information about fees and how the programs are structured.

 

23 Things and Learning 2.0 in Schools

Apr 12th, 2013
by Polly-Alida Farrington.
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This past week I had the pleasure of presenting with Sarah Ludwig and Sara Kelley-Mudie during the Internet@Schools sessions at Computers in Libraries in Washington DC. Our session focused on Learning 2.0 and 23 Things in Schools. My slides are available below and on the conference presentations page, along with lots of great presentations from other sessions.

Bloggers who have shared notes from our session include:

Workshop Idea: Libraries as Learning Spaces – Maybe?

Feb 5th, 2013
by Polly-Alida Farrington.
6 comments
photo credit: Patrick Hoesly via photopin cc

photo credit: Patrick Hoesly via photopin cc

I’m working on some new workshops and the idea of public libraries as learning spaces is a topic that keeps running through my head. Obviously public libraries have always been learning spaces, so that in itself isn’t a new idea. But a workshop on creating learning opportunities using technology as the delivery device is what I’m pondering.

In the past year or so there have been some intriguing examples of libraries expanding learning opportunities for their communities to include locally created training delivered online and in-person, distance learning through commercial and open courses,  and more.  Many of these are taking advantage of the expertise of local community members and experts world-wide. Some programs and ideas that triggered this workshop idea include:

  • Library YOU - Escondido CA Public Library is gathering all sorts of local knowledge from community members and sharing it online via podcasts and video. Some items are focused on learning a new skill, others are personal histories and memories.
  • NYLTO New Library Trustees Online - Moodle based learning modules for trustees (more…)

Digital Learning Day – Feb 6, 2013

Jan 3rd, 2013
by Polly-Alida Farrington.
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digitallearningday
Digital Learning Day is coming up on Febraury 6, 2013.  Showcase your classroom and school!

Digital Learning Day is a national campaign that celebrates teachers and shines a spotlight on successful instructional practice and effective use of technology in classrooms across the country. The inaugural Digital Learning Day boasted tens of thousands of teachers representing nearly 2 million students.

The second annual Digital Learning Day is gaining momentum with ongoing activities, ideas, and collaboration opportunities leading up to February 6, 2013. Join the wave of education champions who seek to engage students, (more…)

Two free webinars: eBooks & WordPress

Jan 3rd, 2012
by Polly-Alida Farrington.
2 comments

Carterette Series WebinarsI’m very happy to be participating in the next Carterette Series webinars sponsored by the Georgia Library Association on Wednesday, January 18 from 2 – 4:15 PM. Registration is free.

The always awesome Kate Sheehan will talk about Ebooks, Discovery, and the Library and I’ll be talking about WordPress for Library Websites.

Be sure to check out their archive of past webinars for some great learning opportunities. And while you’re at it, like their Facebook page to make sure you see news of future programs.

 

(Still catching up – this is for Day 8 of #blog12daysxmas!)

14 Things To Tame

Jan 3rd, 2012
by Polly-Alida Farrington.
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Check out  14 Things to Tame, a terrific new Learning 2.0 project for teachers from Sara Kelley-Mudie.  They’ll be covering a lot of ground over the next 15 weeks! You can be sure I’ll be ‘stealing’ stuff from Sara for some of my own projects.  (Thanks Sara!) Lucky teachers at The Forman School in Litchfield CT to have Sara putting this together.

(Still catching up – this is for Day 9 of #blog12daysxmas!)

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